Terminal assembly



May 28, 19 3 R. A. LAMOUREAUX, JR 3,091,655

TERMINAL ASSEMBLY Filed April 15, 1959 INVENTOR RAYMOND A. LAMOUREAUXJR.

H IS ATTORNEYS nited S tes 3,691,656 Patented May 28, 1963 3,091,656TERMINAL ASSEMBLY Raymond A. Lamoureaux, In, North Adams, Mass, as-

signor to Sprague Electric Company, North Adams, Mass, a corporation ofMassachusetts Filed Apr. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 806,690 2 Claims. (Cl.17452) This invention relates to a terminal assembly for electricalcomponents, and more particularly to a. terminal assembly extendingthrough a closure of an electrical component.

Electrical components such as capacitors have a construction in whichpart of the component is contained within an enclosure which is closedby a cover or sealing closure means. The closure means is in seal-tightrelationship with the remainder of the containing enclosure. A terminalassembly for the electrical component extending through the closuremean-s must be in combination and in attachment therewith. In thoseenclosures where the sealing of the component is vitally important, thebreach through the closure means by the terminal assembly presents aparticularly dimcult problem. The passage of the stud of the terminalassembly through the closure means must not break the seal; or, afterinsertion in the closure means, the terminal assembly and the closuremust be so recombined as to heal any breach that has been made in theclosure means. Moreover, the healing of the breach must be permanent andable to withstand the vicissitudes of the usage of the component and thepassage of time.

In previous constructions, the terminal assembly has been attached in anend closure simply by passing a headed rivet through the closure means.One lead from the component is retained on the terminal assembly on oneside of the closure by being secured between the closure and the head ofthe rivet. The rivet is clinched against an external connector orterminal post on the other side of the closure means. In this way thetab, rivet and the closure means are held together, and the externalconnector is squeezed against the closure. This, at one time, serves toprovide mechanical connection of the external connector with the rivetand the rivet and tab with the closure member and electrical contact ofthe tab to the external connector. In addition, such a terminal assemblyserves to close the hole through the closure. Although it is inwidespread use, this construction has been found to have manyshortcomings. One such shortcoming is the loosening of the electricaland mechanical connections upon fracture of the closure means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a terminal assembly forelectrical components in which the electrical connection is independentof the closure means.

It is another object of this invention to provide a terminal assemblyfor a closed electrical component which avoids arcing.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an electricterminal assembly on an electrical component having the electric leadsand the closure means of the component connected together with theelectric leads independent of mechanical connection to the closure meansof the component.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent uponconsideration of the following description taken together with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through the terminal assembly of thisinvention in relation to a closure means in partially disassembled form;

FIG. 2' is a vertical section of the assembled terminal assembly of thisinvention mounted in a closure means;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of an enclosed capacitor utilizing terminalassemblies constructed according to this invention; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the plural shouldered, double endedrivet-insert or this invention.

The terminal assembly of this invention is not dependent upon theclosure member of the electrical component for maintaining electricalconnection throughout the terminal. The terminal assembly is fastened tothe closure member, and the electrical connections in the terminalassembly are held on the rivet-insert terminal independently of theclosure. Layers of the closure are held together by the terminalassembly to seal the passage through the closure and to fixedly positionthe terminal assembly with respect to the closure means.

Referring to FIGURE 1, an electrically conductive terminal assemblyaccording to this invention is shown in partially disassembled form. Theterminal assembly includes a plural shouldered, double endedrivet-insert or body it) having a shank 11. At the axial ends of shank11, the rivet-insert or body 10 is provided with a solid end 13 and atubular end 14. Rivet-insert '10 is shown positioned in a passage 15through a closure means v16 made up of an upper layer 17 composed of ahard insulating material such as Bakelite and a lower layer 18 made upof a soft compressible material such as rubber. The shank II isdimensioned to lit snugly into the passage 1S and substantially till thepassage 15. The rivetinsert Mi is provided with a shoulder 19 whichextends radially around said rivet-insert; so that when the rivet 10 isinserted in the passage 15, the shoulder 19 is located against therubber lower layer I8 side of the closure means 16. The shoulder :19 isprovided with serrations 23 on its upper and lower surfaces. The upperserrations 23 are of such a nature as to bite into the rubber layer 18when the shoulder 19 is forced against and into the rubber layer 18.Positioned beneath the shoulder 19 as seen in FIG. 1 is a free washer20. The washer 20 is independently movable with respect to the rivet 10and is inserted around the lower tubular end 14 in position to bearagainst the serrations 23 on shoulder 19.

As shown in FIG. I, the shank 11 does not extend completely through thepassage 15. When the shoulder 19 is positioned against the lower layer18 with the serrations 23 in abutment with the lower surface of thelower layer is, the shank is still too short, as shown in thedisassembled iorm of FIG. 1. The height of the shank 1-1 is less thanthe composite thickness of the layers 17 and 18 making up the closuremeans 16. The shank 11 has an upper surface or shoulder 24- formed bythe differences in diameter between the diameter of the shank 11 and thelesser diameter of the upper solid end 13. This annular surface 24 lieswithin the passage 15 in the partially assembled condition. An externalterminal connector 21 is provided for connection on the extension 13 atthe upper end of the rivet Ill. An inner lead or tab 25 is mounted onthe extension 14 on the lower side of the closure'rneans *16. The tab 25is inserted between the nether surface of the shoulder 19 and the washer20. In FIGURE 1 the external terminal connector 21 is shown separatedaway from the extension =13. The terminal 211 is provided with a centralopening 22 which fits around the extension 13 when terminal 21 ispositioned over the extension 13.

In FIG. 1 the terminal asembly of this invention is shown in partiallyassembly form. To complete the assembly, the terminal 21 is placed overthe extension 13 and seated against an upper surface 26 of the layer 17.The terminal 21 has a corner 27 with an under surface 28. When theterminal 21 is brought against the surface 26, the under surface 28bears against the surface 26. In completing the assembly operation theextensions 13 and 14 are riveted over so that their outer ends areflanged and turn over to bear against the terminal 21 and washer 20. Theriveted over headed end 13 presses the surface 28 at the corner 27against the upper surface 26 or layer 17. Layer 17 is made up of a hardmaterial, and in turn presses against the softer layer 18 which isseated on the upper serrations 23 of the shoulder 19. The layer 18yields to permit serrations 23 on shoulder 19 to bite into the lowerlayer 18, thereby anchoring the terminal assembly against rotation. Inthe operation of cold heading end 13, terminal 21 becomes seated againstthe annular surface 24 and thereby is fixedly held in position in theterminal assembly in its seat on the annular surface 24. Thus, theterminal 21 is mechanically and electrically connected to the shank 11by seating on the annular surface 24. At the same time, the riveted overor clinched outer end of extension 14 presses the washer 29 against tab25, which in turn is pressed against the nether serrations 23 of theshoulder 19 to clamp the tab 25. Inasmuch as rivet and tab 25 are of thesame material and substantially the same temper, lower serrations 23 areneeded to ensure permanent electrical contact that might otherwise bedestroyed by the springiness of the parts.

The completely assembled form of the electric connection is shown inFIG. 2, wherein the riveted over "extensions 13 and 14 bear against thepar-ts, thereby serving to compact them into the completed structure.The tab 25 lying between the washer 20 and the shoulder 19 is heldtightly in position against the nether serrations 23 of the shoulder 19.Similarly, the terminal 21 is clamped against the surface 24. Thisaction holds the terminal 21 tightly on the terminal 10, and attachesthe terminal 21 to the tab 25 in electrical connection withoutmechanically attaching either member to the closure means 16. In otherwords, independently of the closure means 16 with its upper and lowerlayers 17 and 18, the terminal 21 and tab 25 are held togethermechanically on the shank 11 and in electrical connection.

The terminal 21 on the surface 24, pressing against the surface 26,forces the layer 17 downward on the shank 11. The layer 17 in turnpresses against the lower layer 18 Which is compressible and flows as itis forced against the upper serrations 23 of the shoulder 19 toaccommodate the incursion of the serrations 23 and the shoulder 19 intothe lower layer 18. When the surfaces 26 and 24 are in the same plane,the shoulder 19 must be inserted into the lower layer 18. The serrations23 thus dig into the lower layer 18 and cause it to be tightly clampedby the shoulder 19 and, consequently, the terminal assembly is securelyfixed against rotation on the closure means 16. Thus, a securemechanical connection is made between the terminal assembly and theclosure means 16. This mechanical connection, however, is independent ofthe mechanical connection of terminal 21 and tab 25 in the terminalassembly and, thus, leaves the electrical connection through the closuremeans independent of the mechanical connection to the closure means.

FIG. 3 shows a capacitor 29 adapted with this invention. The terminalassemblies provided for the capacitor are mounted on the closure means16 by the riveting action described above. The shanks 11 penetratethrough the closure means 16 and also provide the parts for conductiveconnection to the electrode tabs 25 from the capacitor section 33. Itwill be understood that any kind of lead construction can be used. Theanode lead may, for example, be in the form of a longitudinally slottedwire in the slot of which the anode electrode is clamped. The other leadmay be a tab to the appropriate electrode as described in applicationSerial No. 413,150, now US. Patent No. 2,869,052. The external terminalconnector 21 may merely be provided with an aperture through which it isheld by one of the rivet extensions 13. The closure means 16 is shownpositioned in a suitable container can 30 and retained in position bysitting on a rib 31 and held in position by a marginal lip 32 spun overagainst the upper layer 17 of the closure means 16. Thus, the closuremeans 16 is clamped in place at the mouth of the can 30. The capacitor29 is of the electrolytic type containing a capacitance sec tion 33 andhaving an electrolyte 34 which permeates through the section 33.

FIG. 4 shows rivet-insert 10 in the unassembled condition shown in FIG.1, but apart from the other components of the terminal assembly. Theends 13 and 14 'of the rivet are of substantially the same diameter.While end 13 is shown as being solid and end 14 is shown as tubular, itwill be understood that both ends could be of the same construction.Shank portion 11 is shown as substantially half again as wide as ends 13and 14, so as to provide a suitable ledge 24 for seating the externalterminal connector. Flange 19 which carries serrations 23 on bothshoulders is shown as being more than twice the diameter of ends 13 and14 to effect wide angle seating against the closure member. It should beunderstood that While the relative dimensions set forth hereinconstitute the preferred embodiment of this invention, variations indimensions may be made within the scope of the invention.

Among other advantages, this invention avoids arcing, because theterminal is not mechanically dependent on the cover. There is provided apositive contact through the closure means independent of the mechanicalconnection to the closure means. Thus, there is no tendency of theterminal itself to work loose from the closure means and produce theconditions leading to arcmg.

It will be understood that the above-described embodiment has been setforth for the purpose of illustration only and that variousmodifications may be made by persons skilled in the art withoutdeparture from the spirit of this invention which is defined only by thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical component, a container, a closure member :forclosing said container, said closure member having a relativelynon-yieldable portion and a relatively yieldable portion, a passagewaythrough said non-yieldable portion and said yieldable portion, aterminal assembly mounted in said passageway, said terminal assemblyhaving at least a first shoulder and a second shoulder separated by ashank, said shank being shorter than the uncompressed total thickness ofsaid non-yieldable portion and said yieldable portion, an electricalconnection secured to said first shoulder, said second shoulder beingseated .against said closure member, a second electrical connectionsecured to said terminal assembly, said first electrical connection andsaid second shoulder being so mounted on said closure member thatseating said first electrical connection against said first shoulderholds said closure member under compression between said firstelectrical connection and said second shoulder, whereby said terminalassembly closes said passageway and said electrical connections areattached to said terminal assembly independently of the compression ofsaid closure member.

2. A closure assembly for an electrical component comprising a covermember having a relatively rigid layer and a relatively resilient layer,a passageway in said member through said rigid layer and said resilientlayer, a terminal assembly mounted in said passageway, said terminalassembly having at least a first shoulder and a second shoulderseparated by a shank, said shank being shorter than the uncompressedtotal thickness of said rigid layer and resilient layer, an electricalconnection secured to the first shoulder, the second shoulder beingseated against said cover member, a second electrical connection securedto a third shoulder, said first electrical connection and said secondshoulder being so mounted on said cover member that seating said firstelectrical connection against said first shoulder holds said covermember under compression between said first electrical connection andsaid second shoulder, whereby said terminal assembly closes saidpassageway and said electrical connections are attached to said terminalassembly independently of the compression of said cover member by saidfirst electrical connection and said second shoulder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS LinkJan. 17, 1911 Cole Oct. 22, 1935 Schnoll Dec. 24, 1940 Weakley Oct. 23,1945 Rickmeyer Ian. 28, 1947 Bugel Aug. 12, 1958 Modrey Oct. 20, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 8, 1944

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, A CONTAINER, A CLOSURE MEMBER FOR CLOSINGSAID CONTAINER, SAID CLOSURE MEMBER HAVING A RELATIVELY NON-YIELDABLEPORTION AND A RELATIVELY YIELDABLE PORTION, A PASSAGEWAY THROUGH SAIDNON-YIELDABLE PORTION AND SAID YIELDABLE PORTION, A TERMINAL ASSEMBLYMOUNTED IN SAID PASSAGEWAY, SAID TERMINAL ASSEMBLY HAVING AT LEAST AFIRST SHOULDER AND A SECOND SHOULDER SEPARATED BY A SHANK, SAID SHANKBEING SHORTER THAN THE UNCOMPRESSED TOTAL THICKNESS OF SAIDNON-YIELDABLE PORTION AND SAID YIELDABLE PORTION, AN ELECTRICALCONNECTION SECURED TO SAID FIRST SHOULDER, SAID SECOND SHOULDER BEINGSEATED AGAINST SAID CLOSURE MEMBER, A SECOND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONSECURED TO SAID TERMINAL ASSEMBLY, SAID FIRST ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ANDSAID SECOND SHOULDER BEING SO MOUNTED ON SAID CLOSURE MEMBER THATSEATING SAID FIRST ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AGAINST SAID FIRST SHOULDERHOLDS SAID CLOSURE MEMBER UNDER COMPRESSION BETWEEN SAID FIRSTELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND SAID SECOND SHOULDER, WHEREBY SAID TERMINALASSEMBLY CLOSES SAID PASSAGEWAY AND SAID ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AREATTACHED TO SAID TERMINAL ASSEMBLY INDEPENDENTLY OF THE COMPRESSION OFSAID CLOSURE MEMBER.